Chelsea player charged after nightclub brawl

A CHELSEA footballer was charged with affray and assault last night after a fight in a nightclub.

John Terry, an England under-21 international, was arrested in the early hours yesterday after the brawl involving a member of staff and two customers.

A 28-year-old male receptionist needed hospital treatment for a facial cut. Terry, 21, the Chelsea captain, was questioned at Belgravia police station over his alleged attack on the man at the Wellington club in Knightsbridge, London - the latest in a series of incidents involving Premiership footballers.

He was arrested with the Wimbledon player Des Byrne, 20, who has also been charged with affray and assault, during celebrations to mark the birth of the first child of another Chelsea player, Jody Morris.

Both players were bailed to appear in court on Wednesday. Terry's arrest follows his involvement in an all-day drinking spree with three Chelsea team-mates during which the players were accused of insulting American tourists in a Heathrow hotel a day after the September 11 attacks.

Woodgate, who was given 100 hours' community service after being convicted of affray, admitted that he had drunk eight pints of a vodka-based drink as well as bottles of Bacardi Breezers.

The conduct of footballers was brought into question again when the West Ham player Hayden Foxe had to apologise after he urinated in front of other guests when his team-mates held their Christmas party at a London club.

Chelsea said last night that Terry has been included in the Chelsea squad for today's FA Cup clash against Norwich. The club's assistant manager Gwyn Williams said: "We'll be making no comment until we have full details."